Members of the Saints squad have joined organisers of the county’s favourite annual fundraising bike ride in honouring the Northampton businessman who founded Cycle4Cynthia, helping to raise more than £400,000 for local good causes.
The seeds for Cycle4Cynthia were sown in 2003 when property developer, keen cyclist and Saints supporter John Pinkham encouraged a small group of friends to join him on a pedal around the county in aid of Cynthia Spencer Hospice.
In the subsequent 12 years Cycle4Cynthia has grown massively, with thousands of riders raising money for a variety of charities and good causes, including Macmillan Cancer Support and Northampton-based children’s charity Kidsaid.
This week saw the launch of Cycle 4 Cynthia 2016 at Franklin’s Gardens, and Saints director of rugby Jim Mallinder, team manager Paul Shields and players Tom Wood, Ethan Waller and Sam Dickinson helped give Pinkham a surprise commendation to mark his retirement as chairman of the ride.
“The invaluable care which the hospice provides for its patients and their families is only possible thanks to the kind of support we receive from such events,” said Cynthia Spencer Hospice’s fundraising manager John Helm. “So for conceiving the ride, which has prompted the raising of such an incredible sum of money, we are eternally grateful.”
The event also saw the Saints players be joined by Sky Sports F1 presenter Natalie Pinkham present a number of trophies to those who rode in 2015, as well as the confirmation that this year’s ride will take place on Sunday, September 25th, at a new venue, Holdenby House.
More information, including details of the new routes and entry and sponsorship forms, will be available shortly at www.cycle4cynthia.co.uk.
